Probe into alleged financial irregularities in council's Ballyjamesduff area

A major investigation is underway at Cavan County Council into alleged financial irregularities involving hundreds of thousands of euros of public money over a period of several years.

It's understood that the scope of the inquiry at this early stage concerns the payment of certain invoices in the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District area.
Contacted by The Anglo-Celt this week, a spokesperson for the local authority would neither confirm nor deny that the probe was taking place though councillors from the area have confirmed an ongoing investigation into a 'potential breach of financial procedures' as described by one.

Asked a detailed series of questions by this newspaper including the 'nature' and 'terms of reference' of the ongoing inquiry, a spokesperson for the local authority said: 'Cavan County Council will not be commenting on this matter at this time.'

The Celt understands that the controversy first came to light when a whistleblower within local authority ranks made senior Council officials, including CEO Tommy Ryan, aware of the alleged irregularities.

An investigator, with an accounting background, understood to be retired Wicklow County Manager Eddie Sheehy, has been drafted in as an independent examiner to head up the inquiry. He has interviewed council staff over the past six weeks and is expected to concluded his inquiry next month.

The Celt understands that gardaí have not been contacted to assist the current investigation as there is no conclusion of criminality at this point.
The BJD Municipal District takes in the towns and villages of Arva, Ballinagh, Ballyjamesduff, Kilnaleck, Mountnugent, Virginia and Mullagh.

 

Shocked
It's understood that elected members from the district area only first became aware of the allegations early last week.

* For full details of the story, including comments from the councillors in the Ballyjamesduff electoral area, see today's Anglo-Celt.